CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY

Policy Statement

Student Counseling Services strives to maintain confidentiality of students using
the counseling services.

Reason for Policy/Purpose

This policy is required for the effective communication of university policy regarding
confidentiality for counseling services.

Who Needs to Know This Policy

All members of The University of Southern Mississippi community.

Website Address for this Policy

www.usm.edu/institutional-policies/policy-stua-scs-001

Definitions

Policy/Procedures

Many people, when coming to visit a counselor, are concerned about confidentiality
(privacy). They don't want anyone to know that they're coming for counseling, and
they don't want anyone to know what they say to their therapist. We do our best to
minimize these concerns. The Student Counseling Services operates within professional
guidelines. Therapists are professionally and ethically obligated to keep what you
say confidential. They may seek input from other therapists at the center in order
to improve the quality of your care, but no information about your counseling will
be released to, or discussed with, anyone outside the center without your explicit,
written permission.

There are some exceptions that you need to know about. First, if there is a risk of
imminent harm to yourself or another person (e.g., a serious intent to commit suicide
or homicide), therapists have a legal and ethical duty to protect life. Second, therapists
must release information when a court of law orders them to do so. Third, if we believe
a child, elderly person, or mentally retarded person is being abused, therapists will
report this. Fourth, if you are in a medical crisis, therapists may sometimes provide
necessary medical information (e.g., about medications) to medical personnel.

People coming to counseling sometimes worry that their insurance companies will have
access to their records. This is not the case at the center. Since there is no charge
for services to Southern Miss students and Southern Miss employees, no insurance companies
are involved.

Review

The Director of Student Counseling Services is responsible for the review of this
policy every four years (or whenever circumstances require immediate review).